Process Essay: Carving a Jack-O-Lantern

Carving A Jack-O-Lantern

Carving a pumpkin is actually pretty easy. With a few quick, straight cuts with a knife, you can make triangular eyes, a nose, and a toothy smile. The result is a face that almost anyone will recognize, even if you didn't draw it on a piece of paper. It's the face of a jack-o-lantern. On the other hand, carving a really memorable jack-o-lantern can take a bit more planning.

First of all, the size, and shape of the pumpkin are very important. Be sure to choose the right sized pumpkin to go along with whatever design you wish to create. Keep in mind that the smaller the pumpkin, the more difficult it is going to be to carve. If you do not have a small carving knife at home, it may be a good idea to purchase a pumpkin carving kit. The kit comes with two to three carving knives, and a spoon to remove the seeds. These kits usually range anywhere from three to five dollars. After you have chosen your pumpkin, take a medium sized kitchen knife and remove the stem from the top of the pumpkin. An easy way to do this is by cutting around the top of the pumpkin about two inches away from the stem all the way around. By doing this, you are creating a lid for the top of your jack-o-lantern. Next, take a large spoon, or the seed removal tool that was included in your pumpkin carving kit, and remove all of the seeds from inside of your pumpkin.

Now that you have a hollow pumpkin, you are ready to choose the design, or face of your jack-o-lantern. If you choose to use a stencil to aid with your design, first take a damp cloth to the surface of the pumpkin to remove any dirt, then pat the pumpkin dry. After you have the face, or design, begin to carve your jack-o-lantern. Be sure to use a small, thin blade for this process. This is the most important part of the pumpkin carving process, so be sure to take your time. The slightest mistake, or slip of the knife could potentially ruin the outcome of your design.

Upon completion of...